Cornerback Cary Williams optimistic about a long-term deal

Matt Vensel

Ravens cornerback Cary Williams attended Wednesday’s organized team activity, marking the second straight week he has been on hand for the voluntary workouts. His presence was notable because he is recovering from offseason hip surgery and also because of his clouded contract situation.

The 27-year-old began the offseason as a restricted free agent, but signed his one-year tender in early May. The Ravens had expressed an interest in reaching a long-term contract extension with Williams and have had discussions with his agent, who also represents fellow Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb. But with training camp less than two months away, no deal has been finalized.

Williams is optimistic a deal will eventually get done, but he wouldn’t speculate on a timetable.

“It’s the money business. I don’t worry about it,” Williams said. “I let my agent take care of that, whether there are discussions or not, and I take care of what I can control and that’s me getting back from rehab and playing at an exceptional level. ... I would love to be in Baltimore. I would love to end my career here. I would love to have a long-term deal. But you just never know what direction the organization wants to go. And at the end of the day, we’re not settling either.”

Williams said he and the training staff are shooting for him to return to live drills by the team’s mandatory minicamp in June. So far he has stayed on the sidelines during practices open to the media.

“It’s really up in the air right now,” Williams said Wednesday. “As far as like a [set return date], there isn’t any. ... I’ve been working hard in rehab and hopefully I’ll get back as soon as possible.”

Williams sustained a torn labrum in his right hip in the team’s Week 10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the game without incident, but he believes the injury got worse on the six-hour flight back to Baltimore. Still, Williams started every game for the Ravens last season.

“I was able to play through it,” said Williams, who underwent surgery in February. “It was actually something where the doctor said I could go without the surgery, but he said just for the future to go ahead and get it done and knock it out for future years, so I can play at a high level.”

Williams made 78 tackles during the regular season, broke up 18 passes and forced two fumbles. A surprise starter in 2011, Williams will have to fend off former first-round pick Jimmy Smith -- who was a no-show Wednesday -- to keep his spot in the starting lineup, though all three should see plenty of playing time if teams across the league continue to throw the ball all over the place.

Still, Williams is looking forward to getting back on the field so he can reclaim his starting position.